Tachometers

[RRMs69Z]

My friend is restoring a 69 Z28 X33 built in November 69. The car has its original tach and it is a 6000 to 7000 rpm tach. Any thoughts why it did not have the 8k or 8500 tach?  I also have my original tach and it is a 6k to 7k tach too and my car was built August 29, 1969. Just curious.

[z28z11]

6-8 tachs started showing up in January and later- there were three groups of tach introductions during the '9 model year. The 6-7 is appropriate for a November car, and earlier.

Regards,
Steve

[ZLP955]

Unless there was an intermittent shortage of the correct redline tach from AC, which is improbable from late August to November 1969, then both tachs have likely been replaced.

[BULLITT65]

RRM are you sure your car isn't a August of 68 (early) 69 Z?

(That would make more sense for the early tach)

[bcmiller]

http://www.camaros.org/interior.shtml#69Z28Tach

RMR if you can please verify the build dates for both as very late 69 model year cars, I can comment further. 

[ZLP955]

August 29 of 1968 would be very early production, although I recall reading 9N500003 is in the DB and is a Z/28.

[RRMs69Z]

I can confirm that my build date is August 29 1969 per NCRS and first 3 of the last 6 digits of my vin are 677. It is an X77 car and it came with cowl from the factory (I share this since I think that was a later option). As to the other car, it has been with the same owner since 1974 and sitting in his garage since 79-80. It too has the cowl hood from factory, is an x33, and the plate says 11D and I believe the First digit of the last 6 started with a 7.

I posted this message because of the information about tachometers in the reasearch pages - to clarify what is "mid" and "late production".

[william]

As model year production approaches conclusion production planners carefully manage inventory levels, low-production options in particular. No one wants to be responsible for thousands of dollars in obsolete inventory. As 1969 Camaro production wrapped up July 1969 planners had likely depleted existing inventories and notified suppliers of parts that would no longer be needed for production. There were no orders in the pipeline.

When it became apparent to Chevrolet that the 1970 launch would be delayed, the decision was made to continue 1969 Camaro production into the 1970 model year. Suppliers had to re-establish production of parts they may have already phased-out. Thus for both cars, it is entirely possible Chevy used what they had-6/7 tachometers. A family member is the original owner of an L35 Camaro SS; it was built October '69 with a 6/7 tach.

http://www.camaros.org/geninfo.shtml#Normative

[bcmiller]

I agree the tach on both cars are certainly possible. 

But wouldn't they have exhausted the 6000/7000 tachs before switching to the 6000/8000 tachs, and then exhausted those before finally switching to the 6500/8000 tachs?  Then once very late/extended model year production occurred would they have not gone back to the most recent suppliers? Which would have been 6500/8000?

[william]

There is no telling what they had in stock or on order at the end of July '69. Minimum order size is a factor; if for example, each tach had a 1000 pc order minimum, the 6/7 was slower moving and more likely to have an inventory surplus. When '69 production was extended, they probably were not certain how long it would last.

The July/August 1996 Camaro Enthusiast had a feature on a '69 Z/28 project, built during the last week of production. Had the 6500/8000 tach, 1112003 distributor and black-face Nova gauges.

[RRMs69Z]

Thank you for the history lesson!  This is why I come to this site everyday.

[ZLP955]

Does the database capture the tachometer details (if fitted), and if so, how many late production cars have a non-normative unit?

[william]

Chevy built almost 4,000 Camaros the first week of November '69. We have few cars in the db from that period.

[ZLP955]

Thanks William - any data on the OP's timeframe of late August through to November though? Wonder how the suppliers and Chevrolet handled documenting the change if another tach was used.....

[firstgenaddict]

I would expect the November of 69 built car to have the 6500 redline tach... There have been a few 6000 red 7000 high tachs found in July August September of 69 built cars if I am not mistaken.

[william]

The only documented production part changes I am aware of were the side terminal battery and chromed tailpipes as of May 19th. The tailpipes involved a change in option pricing so dealers were notified. The D90 stripe change, RS directional lens, '69 rear spoiler, YH wheels and others all just happened.

[BULLITT65]

Sorry, whee can I read about the RS directional lens. (not aware of that one)

[william]

It's buried in the description of what is included with Rally-Sport equipment. From intro to 12/68 it included directional lenses with bright metal trim. After 12/68, mention of the lens trim was dropped. In production, they used up remaining inventory on all cars, not just RS.

[BULLITT65]

Ok, so When you said "directional lenses", I was thinking arrows molded into the plastic or something. Now that I know you are referring to the stainless trim used on the early cars, I am up to speed. thanks

[70z28lt1]

On a somewhat related topic, were there any internal changes to the 302 when they changed from the 6-8 to 6.5-8 tach?  I'm thinking screw in studs and guideplates?  Did the 302 ever have screw in studs and guideplates?  I seem to read differing statements on this.

[Steve Shauger]

On a somewhat related topic, were there any internal changes to the 302 when they changed from the 6-8 to 6.5-8 tach?  I'm thinking screw in studs and guideplates?  Did the 302 ever have screw in studs and guideplates?  I seem to read differing statements on this.

No and no.

[Steve Shauger]

I would expect the November of 69 built car to have the 6500 redline tach... There have been a few 6000 red 7000 high tachs found in July August September of 69 built cars if I am not mistaken.

James I have seen a few, and in fact my orange z (9A of 69 ) has a 600-7000 tach and is dated for the car.